Classes

The Ancient World

Medieval Civilization

Renaissance to Revolution

Modern Era to Present Day

2018-2019 Course Offerings: Renaissance to Revolution

Humanities

Early Modern Literature

Grades: 9th-12th

The class will study the development of literature through the Early Modern period, focusing particularly on the evolution of the novel from its roots in ancient and medieval epic poetry. Texts will include works by Dante, Shakespeare, period poets, and early American authors. Students will cultivate skills to critically read, discuss, and assimilate literature within its historical and philosophical context, and will explore themes surrounding the zeitgeist of the time. Additionally, they will gain exposure to concurrent artistic advances, such as opera, and will develop their writing ability in a variety of styles.

History of Western Civilization: Renaissance, Reformation, and Revolution

Grades: 9th-12th

In our Classical Christian Curriculum, History serves as a foundation that ties together other subjects of the Humanities, and helps to synthesize the subjects of Literature, Philosophy, Politics, and Religion. Beginning with the birth of the Modern Age in the Renaissance, our History class will explore the transformation in Europe from Medieval Christendom to the Enlightenment, and the Political and Religious Revolutions that helped to shape the founding of the United States. Classes will be taught with a variety of discussions, projects, activities, presentations, and hopefully some good debates!

Geography (Social Sciences)

Grades: 7th

This class will explore... the World! The emphasis will be on studying the geography of the whole planet: physically (mountains, rivers, seas), politically (borders, regions, capitals), and culturally (languages, religions, ethnicities). In addition to studying atlases and almanacs, we will learn through multi-media studies, including music, videos, food, costumes, and hopefully even a field trip or two. By the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to have a strong understanding of the major physical, geographic, and cultural parts of the world, which will prepare them for a more in-depth study of history and social studies.

U.S./ID History

Grades: 8th

In this course you will retrace key events that shaped early America in their ideas and beliefs. We will also cover the motivations that propelled the first pioneers westward and the end result of settling into a more modern-day America marked with complex social challenges between pioneers and the native population. The main topics in this class will include a scope of early American government, clash of societies, and feelings of consternation around the Manifest Destiny. To be successful in this class it is imperative to have an understanding of other cultures and be able to discard “ethnocentricity” (evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture). We will utilize class discussion, films and course work to fully immerse ourselves in everyday situations that both pioneers and natives found themselves in order to survive.

Language

Spanish Language

Grades: 11th-12th

(Fulfills following credits: Foreign Language, Language Arts)

Spanish class will be a dynamic classroom environment, aiming to equip students with both the technical knowledge and the conversational skills needed to be confident in another language. The class will be integrated to accommodate a variety of levels, and will provide learning through a variety of methods.

Classical Latin Language

Grades: 8th-10th

(Fulfills following credits: Foreign Language, Language Arts)

Latin is one of the most important languages a young student can study, as it equips them to learn how to learn any other Western language. Latin, as the mother of the Romance (“Roman”) Languages, makes it particularly easy for students to learn any other Romance tongue: French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Almost 70% of English vocabulary comes from Latin, and by learning Latin grammar, one can master English grammar. (Traditionally, the highest scoring students on the ACT/SAT Verbal sections are those who have taken Latin.) Finally, a student who can read Latin can study the great works of Western Civilization in their original language, including the Wars of Julius Caesar, the Vulgate Bible, the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, and the Principles of Isaac Newton.

Those wary of the difficulty of the language need not worry, for the class will start with the basics and only gradually increase in difficulty through engaging and entertaining readings.

Homeroom

Foundations of Composition

Grade: 8th

Using Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum, this class will give students a solid foundation in their writing practices. Focusing on elements of structure and style, students will learn how to form well-constructed persuasive and expository essays. They will be introduced to academic writing, research, and formatting. Creative writing will be woven throughout to hone the students’ ability to communicate imaginatively and creatively. Ultimately, students will gain a skill base for writing that will launch them into high school writing requirements.

Foundations of Learning

Grade: 9th

(Fulfills following credits: English I)

A required course for all full-time freshmen (and highly recommended for part-time students), this class will explore the methods and practices that are required for success both as a BCA student and in life. We will explore principles of critical thinking, the writing process, organization and time management, reading and note taking, and other fundamental skills for effective learning. In addition, we will read 7 Men and 7 Women by Eric Metaxas, discussing what it means to live well and seeking to be great through putting our lives in God’s service. Students will also receive close instruction on their term papers and presentations, gaining a foundation they can use for future persuasive writing.

Logic and Rhetoric

Grade: 10th

(Fulfills following credits: Speech, Logic, English II)

Rhetoric implies the art of composition as well as presentation. The Rhetoric class aims to teach students to develop their communication skills. The class will be taught from a Classical perspective, which will improve the student’s ability to speak and write, with the intent to inform or persuade. Ultimately, Rhetoric provides a foundation from which students can use their creativity and personal interests to express themselves.

Students will gain:

• Competency and mastery in persuasive writing

• Clear understanding of logic and its function

• Confidence in public speaking and performance

Capstone Project

(Fulfills following credits: Senior Project)

The Capstone Project will attain the same goal as the BCA Thesis Paper by answering a question (i.e. have a thesis) that synthesizes the ideas that they have learned at BCA, drawing material from at least two disciplines (e.g. history, literature, science, etc) to show how the prevailing ideas of the time interact and influence each other.

Thesis Papers

8th-11th

All full-time students will complete a term project during the spring semester. This project will encourage students to synthesize the ideas and influences from different subjects into one “Masterpiece,” and may take the form of an essay, a work of art, or another creative project.

Sciences

Human Biology

Grades: 11th-12th

This course will provide its students with a wide breadth of knowledge pertaining to how the human body is organized from the most basic molecular and cellular components to the functional human body. Students will seek understanding of the interrelationships of human anatomy and physiology and its maintenance of homeostasis via instructor lectures, laboratory exploration including dissection, in-depth research, presentations to peers as well as supplemental readings and case studies. Homeostatic imbalance will be addressed as it relates to conditions and diseases of the systems and physiologic processes studied.

This course will be offered for college credit.

Sciences: Biology and Physical Science

Grades: 9th-10th

Our Science classes are taught with two objectives: 1) to explore Science in a way that honors God as the Creator by acknowledging the universe as His Creation, and 2) to develop a scientific framework that helps students appreciate the complexity and rationality of scientific systems, enabling them to better understand the modern technological world in which we live. The Science classes will be taught with interactive learning labs, which allow students to go beyond the readings to experiment for themselves!

General Science

Grades: 8th

In this course you will investigate key concepts, theories and ideas that lead to accurate and objective results through the scientific method. The end result preferably being that you will have an understanding and be able to practice “thinking scientifically.” We will utilize class discussion and course work to enable you to learn ways to think critically and about a range of issues and develop your inner scientist. Fundamental scientific ideas regarding hypotheses, test/retest procedures, data analysis, and directives to overcome testing dilemmas will be covered throughout the course. Key areas of study will include biology, geology, geography, astrophysics, and optics/frequencies.

Math

*Pre-Algebra

Grade: 8th

The Pre-Algebra course reviews arithmetic algorithms and introduces students to basic algebra concepts. The course will help students overcome weaknesses in mathematic competency and gain confidence as they move onto upper level math. Students will develop good mathematical study skills and strategies, and learn how to integrate their knowledge of algebra into a broader classical mindset.

*High School Mathematics

Grades: 9th-12th

Algebra I: The course will begin with a brief review of basic algebraic concepts, moving on to teach fluency in algebraic solutions. Students will participate in many problem solving strategies as they develop their skills thinking through Mathematics, and will study different Mathematicians that contributed to concepts learned in this course. At the end of the course basic geometry concepts will be introduced.

Geometry: This course will cover the properties of geometric figures, deductive and inductive thinking skills, and the process of constructing proofs, as well as the application of these concepts to real world situations. Study of Mathematicians that contributed to the world of Geometry plays an important part in this course, as the students will learn the history behind the theorems we learn and how they are used to form reasons and conclusions.

Algebra II: Picking up where Algebra I left off, this class will cover quadratic functions and factoring, as well as an extensive study of polynomials. Students will also get a solid introduction to logarithmic functions and other concepts of higher level mathematics (data analysis, probability, statistics, series, sequence, etc), and will continue to use these skills to develop their ability to think mathematically.

*These will be the main courses focused on at BCA, but other subjects may be available upon demand (Pre-Algebra, Pre-Calc/Trig, Calculus, etc) through a Math Lab.

Electives

Economics and Ideologies

Grades: 11th-12th

This will be an exploration of the economic, political and social ideas which have shaped the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Writing, critical thinking and discussion will be encouraged as we examine the ideologies which have shaped our world. Economically, this will include a historical look at economic thinkers from Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes, coupled with an overview of macro vs micro economics and key terms such as GDP, GNP, Supply and Demand, Capital, Division of Labor, etc.

College Prep

Grades: 11th-12th

As upperclassmen prepare for their next steps after high school, processes such as college applications can seem overwhelming. The College and Vocational Preparation course will enable students to successfully submit college applications, create effective resumes, transfer concurrent credits, and navigate scholarship opportunities as well as equip students with test-taking strategies. Guidance will also be given regarding opportunities such as: study abroad, internships, and job applications. The purpose of this course is to prepare students with the executive and organizational skills to help them succeed in all walks of life; the course will include guidance with end of term Thesis Projects.

Aesthetics

Grades: 11th-12th

(Fulfills following credits: Fine Arts)

Is beauty “in the eye of the beholder” or is it an objective reality? How do we develop eyes to see what is beautiful? What is the difference between bad art and good art, and what even qualifies as art? These questions, and many others, will be explored through the study of art in a variety of forms — from painting to music, dance to theater, film to creative writing — and adds an important dimension to our pursuit of Goodness, Truth, and Beauty. Course material will be an eclectic but purposeful mixture of art history, philosophy, and application.

Drama class

Grades: 11th-12th

Spring semester, 2019

Drama class will invite the student into a dynamic overview of the six elements of drama. We will examine the differences among different acting venues such as theater, television, film, and radio.The students will spend some time examining their inner motives to conclude what their strengths and weaknesses are as thespians.This year, we will spend considerable time examining the Old English that Shakespeare used. Each student may expect to grow in their stage presence, public speaking, and memorization ability in addition to enjoying a whole lot of acting! A broader grasp of the English language is expected to be a happy byproduct of the antiquated language we will be working with. The school year will conclude with a dramatic compilation of some of Shakespeare’s greatest scenes.

Sociology

Grades: 11th-12th

Sociology is an exciting course that focuses on individual and group behavior as well as social patterns and trends. In this course, we also examine some of the major theoretical foundations that provide a framework for sociology as a scientific discipline. The following founders are also discussed in this course including: Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx. Finally, this course covers topics related to the history and development of sociology, socialization, inequality, social change, social institutions and the scientific method.